Cherundolo signs 3 yr. contract, made Hannover 96 Captain

American Steve Cherundolo, who has made 225 Bundesliga appearances since joining Hannover 96 in 1999, has been named the German club's captain for the 2010-11 season, replacing Dutchman Arnold Bruggink, who left the club in June.

Cherundolo, who recently re-signed with Hannover for three more seasons, will also be part of the "Mannschaftsrat" (team council) with Christian Schulz, Altin Lala, Jan Schlaudraff and Karim Haggui.

He was part of the team council last season and recommended the team put No. 1 on the chest of its jerseys in tribute to keeper Robert Enke, who died after stepping in a front of a train in a suicide.